Professional Certification
In 1948, the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Inc. (ABC) was formed by a group of concerned practitioners and orthopedic surgeons to set minimum standards for practitioners' education and experience levels and to test their clinical knowledge. As the first O&P certification program, ABC became the standard and is currently recognized by federal, state and private agencies for the establishment of standards for the orthotic and prosthetic profession. It is also approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Basic requirements for certification include: a baccalaureate degree in orthotics and prosthetics or a baccalaureate degree with a post-grad orthotics or prosthetics certificate; a one-year accredited residency; and satisfactory completion of written, written simulation and clinical patient management examinations. Over 5,000 O&P practitioners are ABC-certified. Visit the ABC website for more details on the program.
Facility Accreditation
ABC maintains a facility accreditation program, which sets standards for patient care services. Provider standards lead to the improvement of existing patient treatment methods as well as assisting in the development of organizational models for the establishment of new organizations and programs. ABC's facility accreditation includes a written application and on-site evaluation. It is recognized by federal, state and private agencies for the establishment of standards for the orthotic and prosthetic profession, and is also approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Currently, there are more than 1,400 ABC-accredited facilities.
For more information on ABC Accreditation, please view the ABC Accreditation Brief . This brief provides healthcare officials with an overview of the program, distribution statistics, and a detailed look at the standards of ABC Accreditation.
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